• Director Peter Jackson is making a new documentary using never-before-seen footage of the Beatles in the studio. The acclaimed Lord of the Rings director said the film will be based on roughly 55 hours of footage of the band working on songs in the studio in January 1969. "It's like a time machine transports us back to 1969, and we get to sit in the studio watching these four friends make great music together," he said. The film is being made with the cooperation of Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr as well as, Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison, the widows of John Lennon and George Harrison. The film was announced on Wednesday, the 50th anniversary of the Beatles' final performance on the roof of Apple Records in London. The original farewell documentary movie, Let It Be, directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, came out in 1970, soon after the Beatles broke up and has long been viewed as a chronicle of the band members growing apart. But Jackson said the additional footage tells a very different story. "It's simply an amazing historical treasure-trove," he said. "Sure, there's moments of drama -- but none of the discord this project has long been associated with."
• Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood might have a shot at winning the world's most grueling steeplechase for the first time with a not so wild horse. British Grand National organizers say Wood's horse, Sandymount Duke, is among 112 entries that will be whittled down to 40 runners for the race on April 6. Sandymount Duke has won 10 of 30 races and runs in the 71-year-old Wood's red and white silks. Wood bred the 10-year-old gelding, which is trained by Jessica Harrington in Ireland. Race organizers hope Wood can attend the 4½-mile race near Liverpool in northwest England because the Rolling Stones don't begin their tour of the United States until April 20. The winner of the Grand National earns $655,000.
• Showtime said it will air a sequel to its groundbreaking drama series The L Word, which explored lesbian and bisexual life in Los Angeles. Jennifer Beals, Katherine Moennig and Leisha Hailey, stars of the original 2004-09 series, will reprise their roles, Showtime said Thursday. The sequel will introduce other characters across the sexual and gender spectrum, the channel said. It also will explore new and old neighborhoods throughout L.A., Showtime entertainment President Gary Levine said Thursday. Production is set to begin this summer on eight episodes that the cable channel aims to air later this year, Levine said. Original series creator Ilene Chaiken will be the executive producer, along with Marja-Lewis Ryan.
A Section on 02/01/2019